Dream of Dreams

Lonely Eyes

She asks quietly, "Haechan?" as he takes a small drink from his soda can, taking a break from his previous win. Surrounding his gaming area, a smattering of emptied fast food and crisps, carelessly discarded soft drinks and expired Dominos pizza from five days ago. He's been focused on preparing for his tournament for weeks now, his eyes glued to his computer screen and his back firmly planted in his gaming chair.

"Yeah?" As he prepared for his next game with his teammates, he responds dismissivelyーnot looking at her the way she looks at him.

"Well, umm...I know you're busy training for your tournament, but we haven't hung out with each other in weeks," she says. "I was hoping you'd be free tomorrow?" she asks, "We could go out to Freshies Café and eat crepes and drink watermelon shakes like we usually do."

"Uhh, maybe another day," he says, glancing at her 5'0 figure for a brief moment before returning his gaze to his computer screen, "Please, not now. We can do that to celebrate my team's win, okay?"

She fakes a smile that doesn't quite reacher her disappointed eyes—something that has been happening a lot lately—and responds with, "Sure. I understand."

He returns his attention to the game, not noticing her slouched, disheartened state, and puts on his headphones, "I'm not hard carrying you guys again this time, you fat donkeys..."

For a short instant, the girl stands alone, attempting not to overthink or be too sensitive to the situation. She clenches and grips the hem of her dress, which she wore today to look extra good for Haechan.

...

She looped her arm around her friend's as they walked through the mall because of his sudden impulse to buy something.

They were looking around when she spotted a beautiful blue, above-the-knee dress on a display. It draped over the mannequin softly and attracted her like a magnet.

"...so, I saw this jacket online, and I- Yeona? Hello~, earth to Yeona."

She got out of her trance and looked at the boyishly handsome male.

He glanced in the direction she was staring at and then smirked, "That would look great on you."

The girl shook her head, "Nah, I'm trying to save up for school."

He rolled his eyes, "Come on. You never treat yourself. I'll buy it for you if I have to! I bet you'll give Cinderella a run for her money."

The female glanced at the dress again, "Hmm, you think so?"

The male college student beamed, "I know so."

Maybe Haechan will look at me this time.

...

"It'll be fine," She mutters to herself. To console herself, she wraps her arms around her body and walks out of her boyfriend's room, leaving behind the sound of his yelling and a string of curses as their team got ambushed.

"It'll be fine."

"I am just being too sensitive."

"Our relationship will pull through."

"I'm alright-"

...

No, I'm not alright.

...

She went running.

She didn't even bother to look where she was going; all she knew was that she wanted to run. She let her feet take her in whatever direction, ignoring the harsh winter weather in the cloudless sky and curious onlookers in heavy coats and jackets who wondered why this girl in a flimsy dress was running in the freezing cold. Her soft, light silvery blue dress made her look like Cinderella fleeing the ball with Prince Charming chasing after her.